The power-hungry High Lord of Kalare has launched a rebellion against the aging First Lord, Gaius Sextus, who with the loyal forces of Alera must fight beside the unlikeliest of allies - the equally contentious High Lord of Aquitaine. Meanwhile, young Tavi of Calderon joins a newly formed legion under an assumed name even as the ruthless Kalare unites with the Canim, bestial enemies of the realm whose vast numbers spell certain doom for Alera.

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The power-hungry High Lord of Kalare has launched a rebellion against the aging First Lord, Gaius Sextus, who with the loyal forces of Alera must fight beside the unlikeliest of allies - the equally contentious High Lord of Aquitaine. Meanwhile, young Tavi of Calderon joins a newly formed legion under an assumed name even as the ruthless Kalare unites with the Canim, bestial enemies of the realm whose vast numbers spell certain doom for Alera. When treachery from within destroys the army's command structure, Tavi finds himself leading an inexperienced, poorly equipped legion - the only force standing between the Canim horde and the war-torn realm.

This review applies to the series. Normally, I listen to sci-fi and decided to give this fantasy series a try because of the high ratings the books got at Amazon, and I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. The characters are excellent, the plot good, etc. The first book takes a little getting use to the new concept of furies and the author doesn't really try to explain how one gets these furies powers. (This probably explains some of the poor reviews on the 1st book) He does implied that it is genetic, but how many people in today's society really understand genetics? Who's ya daddy! The sixth book of this series is due out in November and I looking forward to it.
Kate Reading does one of the best jobs of narration in this series that I've heard anywhere! If you like a narration performance, you'll like this one. Lots of blood and guts, but very, very few 4-ltr words, if you dont count CROWs; - this series swear word.
Audible needs to cross-reference these audio books with the book reviews in Amazon, their parent company (I believe). This is especially true where there are few or no reviews on the book. Just a note about my high 5-star ratings - I usually only rate books that I really enjoy, hence high ratings in all my rating history. Hope this helps!

After reading the two preceding books, I Still can not figure out what the deal is with the horns. I can live with them, I just don't understand their purpose. I love this series and though it took me a while to snuggle in with all the characters, I feel as close to them now as I do with Jamie and Claire of the Outlander series. I'm glad I stuck with this one. The only reason it didn't get a five star rating was because of the excessive battle descriptions which I consider a cop out for book filler. He's got a better writers brain and shouldn't be stooping to such silly tactics.

The larger story arc of the series so far is wonderfully fascinating and intriguing. I have enjoyed following the main characters' arcs through the story. It is a bit black and white in some ways with the Very Bad being Very Bad and the Very Good... well, you get it, but there are a lot of grey areas and characters (Lady Placida is fantastic!) The story involving Fade and Isanna is beautifully written; Lady Aquitaine (et al) is fascinating...

My biggest problem with how the series is developing - and it's a major issue for me, is that at least 1/3 of the book is taken up with battle tactics during the war which seem much like a fantasy version of a History Channel documentary. Hours and hours are spent in detailed battle plans and execution. Nothing there there, just details of swords/arrows/spears/etc. While I can see how probably many fantasy fans find this exciting, to me, it became extremely tedious. Every battle or development in the war, over time, started to sound exactly the same in every respect. There's absolutely nothing creative or of interest for me in this kind of war documentary. To quote from the book: "And the battle went on, and on. And on." And it does.

Jim Butcher remains a favorite author of mine, but I'm not sure that I'll continue on with this Alera series, just because of these endless, tedious battle-upon-battle scenarios.

Last word: I sincerely wish that there was more actual story and development here. Mr. Butcher's creative imagination is strong, unique and wonderful. If you love battle scenes, you have a lot to love in this book.

First let me say, I don't do reviews and am not a "staff writer" of which I suspect are the source of some reviews. Just my opinion. :-)In either case, I just love this series. The characters, the storyline, etc. I've done the Robert Jordan and Terry Goodkind series. Good but not great. More soap opera than not. Always got the feeling it was written with a "string 'em along" publisher's attitude in mind. The Codex series is just a great series. The characters are kept to a manageable number and are very engaging. Jim Butcher's style is addicting. Yes, the good guy wins, but it's the way they win. Leaves you breathless. Books 1 and 2 are, for me, simply captivating. I'm finishing up on book 3. and it's a nail biter to say the least. Likely I'll do them all.

This series is getting better and better..... Tavi keeps on growing up and learning and gaining more responsibilities.. He becomes an important tool to the first lord and gets to be in interesting places. I do enjoy how the characters develop in this series and the gap of few years between books to allow the character to develop and grow in a reasonable pace.

I thought the previous book was an eventful one, but its nothing comparing to this book's events. Oh how so many things... So many secrets and so many OH moments... And the ending was a really really good one. Will start listening to the next book really soon,.. So excited

By the way, I do like the narrator, Kate Reading is a really gifted narrator and the voices of the characters change with the years.. Tavi's voice is not the same way it was in the first book, it does sound right for the age he is in.. Fantastic job.

I absolutely love my audible account, makes its from enjoying a book to loving the stories found in the books.
Do forgive my errors in the reviews i do have dyslexia but i will share my love with everyone

the emperor has sent tavi his commission he is to be a low ranking officer in the army. and they are placed out of the way of the impending war. a high lord rebels and enemies of the empire unite to defeat him.

at the same time Bernard is again needed to help the empire with his secret wife take septimus to the city. but septimus can not use magic. while the high lord is fighting the rebels a enemy force lands on the coast making Tavi the only defense for the empire

Butcher again has secrets to show you as you read the books. but most of them you can figure out before the secret is reviled. but with his skill he plays some misdirection making people see the secrets he wants you to see while hiding others.

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